Collins, 62, has one year left on a four-year deal, but has told management he won’t return in that job. Collins’ possible return to the franchise in another role – perhaps in the front office – hasn’t been ruled out, a source said.

Ownership wanted him to return for the final season of a contract that would’ve paid him $4.5 million, one source said, but Collins informed owner Josh Harris of his decision to leave in recent days.

The news comes just hours after USA Today reported that John Langel, Collins’ agent, said: “[Doug is] the coach, and he’ll continue to be the coach.”

A summer trade for Andrew Bynum forced the Sixers to take apart the team that surprised with last season’s run to the Eastern Conference semifinals. Andre Iguodala (Denver), Nikola Vucevic and Moe Harkless (Orlando) helped form the nucleus of what was expected to be one of the most promising young teams in the Eastern Conference before the blockbuster trade, which also involved the Magic sending Dwight Howard to the Lakers.

But Bynum missed the entire season with knee issues that ultimately required surgery. The Sixers season fizzled as well; they are ninth place in the East, leaving a frustrated Collins to try and pick up the pieces.

i’m sick of all these people ripping on the Bynum trade and saying how if they were GM their wisdom and knowledge, would have foreseen his injuries. Wow Iggy is having a good year and Vucevic is the only player grabbing boards for the useless magic, but if Bynum hadn’t been injured this trade could have been great. They ultimate gave up pieces for a established all-star and current NBA 2nd team player. Now, in hindsight it is the worst trade ever, cause he’s probably gonna walk, but still in a league dominated by stars Philly rolled the dice and lost, maybe they’ll win next time.

As I’ve said before, I don’t see Collins as a coach able to manage superstars egos as well as ways to motivate mature players. Judging him this yr is unfair, coz Bynum never played. But I also don’t see Bynum sticking around, after he’s been to LA. He’s as immature as it gets. So Collins is abandoning ship before having to confront Bynum & a weak neucleus. Last yr’s goup by-into Collins not bec he can coach but bec they had no super stars & can only win with the team. Now, they hv little chance with this group so Collins will not be able to manage, as we’ve seen.

No one should think Collins is a great coach. He gives up on young players with potential and would rather win now than care about the big picture. He should be used to lasting 3 yrs being that thats what he is good at. He is like a band aid, he covers the issues of an organization until they are really ready to win. He is always a temporary hire until talented coaches come through that door. Glad he is gone.

If Bynum does re sign with the 76ers and is fit and healthy, I would really love to see what this team could accomplish. They have a solid front court with Jrue running the point, and the inside presence of Bynum would be a good complimentary for them, if he is able to play like he did back in the laker days. I would love it if Collins stayed at 76ers, this team holds a real potential next year and could accomplish a fair bit. IT would be disappointing to see him leave

lol @ back in the laker days. 1 career year (the lockout shortened season) the rest injury galore. idk if sixers management is going to try and reach out to him like he wants which is a MAX contract or he’ll probably try to go to miami for whatever they’re able to offer him to catch up to kobe’s 5 rings

I’ve never understood Collins desire to coach over any other job. Sure, he’s good at it, but he was a great commentator and seemed a lot less stressed in that job. I thought it was strange when Jordan called him to coach Washington and he went so willingly. We all know how that mess turned out. Even Phil Jackson knows when to step away from coaching. This will be a good move for Collins as long as he doesn’t take another coaching job.

Pretty funny that he’s calling it quits when the chips are down, especially when you consider he was the advocate of sending all those young peices away and getting Bynum. Lucky you’ve got that oversized golden parachutte. It will be years before the sixers recover from sending all that young talent away. Well played collins.

Wow this must be terrible for the 76ers. They traded all of their pieces to get nothing. Ironically, all of the people they traded are having great years. Iggy, Nikola Vucevic aka the rebounding machine, and Moe Harkless. Now they lose their coach. That is pretty disappointing.